Information car verifier and method

ABSTRACT

An information card verifier and method of verification wherein a plate is provided having a plurality of passages through its thickness, the passages being of a predetermined number and position corresponding to the number and position of all the possible code information holes on the information card. A light source illuminates one side of the plate and the light which passes through each of the passages is conducted to a plurality of photoelectric cells through a plurality of optical fiber light guides which are inserted in each of the passages. When the coded portion of the information card which is to be verified is disposed in a predetermined position between the light source and the passages, the light passing through selected ones of the passages is blocked by the absence of a hole in a possible hole position. Each of the individual photoelectric cells corresponding with the each of the darkened passages consequently emit a signal which energizes one or more selected indicator lamps. Each of the indicator lamps is arranged in an enlarged array corresponding to the positions of all the holes possible on the tab to display the coded information in a translated form.

Uilited States Patent David Shulman [72] Inventor 750 Brookvale Terrace, Glencoe, Ill. 61254 [21] Appl. No. 711,729 [22] Filed Mar. 8, 1968 [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 [54] INFORMATION CARWERIFIER AND METHOD 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 340/149A [51] Int. Cl H04q 9/00 [50] Field of Search 340/149;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,920,310 l/1960 Sallaeh 73/156 X 3,379,890 4/1968 Krieter 250/227 3,390,253 6/1968 Miller 235/61.7 3,419,881 12/1968 Yamamoto et aL. 340/149 X 3,439,339 4/1969 Parks 340/149 X 3,457,391 7/1969 Yamamoto 340/149 X OTHER REFERENCES Optical Hole Sensing Using Fiber Optics, Stahl et al., Applied Optics, July l966/Vol. 5, No. 7, pg. 1203- 1206, (copy in Class 250/227).

ABSTRACT: An information card verifier and method of verification wherein a plate is provided having a plurality of passages through its thickness, the passages being of a predetermined number and position corresponding to the number and position of all the possible code information holes on the information card. A light source illuminates one side of the plate and the light which passes through each of the passages is conducted to a plurality of photoelectric cells through a plurality of optical fiber light guides which are inserted in each of the passages. When the coded portion ofthe information card which is to be verified is disposed in a predetermined position between the light source and the passages, the light passing through selected ones of the passages is blocked by the absence ofa hole in a possible hole position. Each of the individual photoelectric cells corresponding with the each of the darkened passages consequently emit a signal which energizes one or more selected indicator lamps. Each of the indicator lamps is arranged in an enlarged array corresponding to the positions of all the holes possible on the tab to display the coded information in a translated form. I

INFORMATION CAR VERIFIER AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an information card verifier and method of verification, and more particularly, to a new and improved verification method and apparatus in which information coded upon an information card is rapidly translated and displayed to enable verification of the card by operating personnel.

In the past, the verification of coded information cards has been either nonexistent or at best cumbersome and time consuming frequently requiring a series of steps to be performed by the person or persons performing the verification. In the usual key punch arrangement, two key punch operators are employed to type out two different sets of cards which are then compared. If the coded holes of both cards did not align, new cards were repunched and a card was finally selected from the cards which aligned with each other. Such trial and error method was obviously time consuming and duplicative of effort. Moreover, where a substantial volume of cards were handled the statistical probability existed that two cards might be erroneous in the same manner. The probability of the alignment of a pair of erroneous cards increased where the amount of information entered on the cards decreased. Thus, if only a few holes appeared on each card, the probability of an identical error on each card increased. Verification by directly translating the coded information could, at best, only be accomplished by getting a printed readout of each of the cards, which is generally impossible due to equipment use time limitations. In the case of embossed addressing machine plates having coded tabs, no mechanical verification solution is known without actually printing a batch of the final address labels and checking them against the printed information on the plate. Obviously this method of verification is impractical and practiced only under extreme circumstances.

The apparatus and method of my invention employ the use of light in the reading and translation of the coded information coded in holes on an information card and an immediate display of the coded information in its translated form is made possible enabling rapid and accurate verification of the information card by comparison of the display with the original subject matter coded by the holes. The apparatus and method are relatively simple and reliable in use. Moreover, the apparatus of my invention may be rapidly and easily checked it-' self to make sure that it is functioning properly and any malfunction, ifpresent, is quickly pinpointed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In principle aspect, the preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of my invention includes a plate having a plurality of apertures ofa predetermined number and position corresponding to the number and position ofall the coded information holes possible on the information card which is to be verified. The apertured plate is illuminated by a light source, the light from the light source normally passing through each ofthe apertures but being blocked from selected ones of the apertures when the portion oftheinformation card containing the coded holes is disposed in a predetermined position between the plate and the light source. Photodetector means are provided which respond to the quantity of light passing through each of the apertures, the photodetector means being operative to produce a plurality of signals. Each of the signals operates a selected one of a plurality of indicators, the indicators being" arranged in an enlarged array of positions corresponding to the position of all the information holes possible on the information card. The coded information is immediately displayed in translated form by the array of indicators when the indicators are selectively operated by the signals produced by the photodetector means.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood througha consideration of the following detailed description.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the course of this description, reference will frequently be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. I is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the information card-verifying apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an address information card which may be verified by the apparatus and method of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectioned elevation view of the apparatus taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectioned view of the apertured plate arrangement of the present invention appearing within circle 3A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectioned view of the apparatus taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view ofthe light and electrical circuits of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3, a preferred embodiment of the information card verifier of the present invention is shown. The card verifier generally comprises an appropriate housing 6 having a light source 8 mounted within a suitable hood 10 above a horizontal table portion 12 of the housing. The table portion 12 includes a card guide surface 14 adapted to hold and position theinformation card during verification. As an example, the card 16 may be an address card of the type shown in FIG. 2. The address card typically includes a main body portion 18 carrying a name and address label 20 and other printed information 22 which is relevant to the addressee. Also carried on the label 20 is a usual series of digits 24 which contain coded information specifically pertinent to the individual addressee. Such coded information might include the expiration date of the addressees subscription, the fact that the addressee is an addressee only for specific mailing lists and not all mailing lists, etc. For example, the latter would apply where the addressee only has a demand for certain items of an advertiser and thus need only be mailed certain catalogs and other material and not all of the catalogs and material published by the advertiser or the like. In order to adapt the address card for mechanized mailing techniques, the address card typically encodes the numerical digits 24 into computer language by the use of one or more tabs 26 and 28 which are integrally attached at predetermined intervals to the main portion 18 of the address card by inserting the tabs into slots 30 along one edge of the address cards main portion. Typically the tabs 26 and 28 are firmly held within their slots 30 by hold- 7 ing tabs 32 which are integrally formed with the main portion 18 of the address card and bent over an uncoded end portion 34 of the tabs 26 and 28. The coded portion 35 and 39 of each ofthe tabs generally is arranged to provide a plurality of possible hole positions for use by the mailing computer, each of the possible hole positions for use by the mailing computer, each of the possible hole positions either having or not having a hole. The presence or absence of a hole in the particular arrangement is preselected to represent the various digits appearing on the main portion of the card. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 2, there is a possibility of inserting a tab in one or more of twelve positions along the upper edge of the main portion 18. Moreover, each of the tabs carries five possible hole positions, as shown by tab 26; thus sixty possible hole positions are provided. It should be understood that five holes are shown in tab 26 merely for illustration of the location of the possible hole positions. In practice, all ofthe possible positions would not have holes since such arrangement would have the same effect as complete absence of a tab due to the Referring again to P16. 1, the card 16 is shown by dotted lines in the verifying position. The card surface 14 is generally planar and is somewhat recessed below the table portion 12 upstanding walls 36 extend from the plane of the card guide surface 14 to the table portion 12 and abut the edges of the card 16 to position the card. The card guide surface 14 preferably includes a recessed area 37 to enable the person performing the verification to readily insert his fingers beneath the main portion of the card to facilitate the handling of the card. A plate 38 is provided along one edge of the guide surface 14. The plate has a flat face 40 which is raised slightly above the guide surface 14, but remaining slightly below the overall surface area of the table portion 12. Since the plate 38 is raised slightly above the guide surface 14, an edge of the plate provides a shoulder 42 which is adapted to act as a stop for positioning the main portion 18 of the address card 16 during verification. Also, since the flat face 40 of the plate is raised above the plane of the card guide surface 14, when the card is positioned for verification the tabs 26 and 23 are disposed in firm engagement with the flat face it) of the plate preventing undesirable leakage of light past the edges of the tabs. The plate 38 is disposed directly beneath the light source 8 to prevent slanted light rays from passing beneath the edges of the tabs. The card guide surface 14 and plate 38 are both of such size with respect to the size of the address card and its tabs that the address card is accurately and consistently positioned properly during verification. Although the plate '38-as shown is wood, it may be composed of any other substance,

e.g. a polymeric material.

The plate 38 includes a plurality of passages 44 and 45 opening toward the light source S, the passages being drilled in a predetermined number and position to correspond to the number and position of all the holes possible on all the tabs.

Thus for example where the address card shown in FlG. 2 is the card to be verified, as previously mentioned there are 12 possible tab positions and each tab has five possible hole positions, thus, the plate 38 would have 60 passages. inserted in the end of each of the passages opposite the light source 8, is

, an optical fiber light guide, for example 46 and 47. The light guides are encased in a suitable opaque insulation 48 and each of the light guides 46 and 47 extends from its passage 44 and 45 respectively, in the plate 38 to mounting blocks 49 and 50 within the housing. Mounted within the mounting blocks are a plurality of photoelectric cells for example 52 and 53, one for each of the light guides 46 and 47 respectively. The photoelectric cells may be of the cadmium-selenium type and are such that a decreased resistance to electrical current flow is produced when the photocell is exposed to increased light intensity and the resistance proportionally increases when the light intensity decreases. As shown in FlGS. 3 and 5, each of the photoelectric cells, for example cell 52, is connected within an electrical circuit including an indicator lamp 55 and 56, Referring to FIG. 5, the indicator lamp 55 is connected in parallel by conductors 58 and 59 across conductors 61 and 62, the photoelectric cell 52 being in series with conductors 61 and 62. When the photoelectric cell 52 is exposed to a maximum light intensity via its optical light guide 46, its resistance is at a minimum and the indicator lamp 55 is shorted, deenergizing the lamp. When the passage 44 of light guide 46 is blocked from the light source 8 by a possible hole position of the tab which is absent a hole, the light intensity in the light guide 46 is decreased and the resistance of the photoelectric cell 52 increases removing the short condition and energizing the indicator lamp 55. Although the parallel arrangement is preferred, it will be readily apparent that the operation of the indicator lamp 55 may bereversed by connecting the lamp 55 in series rather than parallel with the photoelectric cell 52. When in series connection, the indicator lamp 55 will be energized when the photoelectric cell 52 is exposed to maximum light intensity and will be decncrgized when the light intensity is decreased. An additional resistor 64 may be provided to control the current flow. if desired. The conductors 61 and62 are not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to avoid confusion. However,

conductors 61 and 62 are connected to a suitable power source through connector 65.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3, the indicator lamps are ar ranged in an enlarged array 66, the position of each of the lamps corresponding to the position of all the holes possible on each of the possible tabs and of course the passages in the plate. The indicator lamps 55 and 56 may be suitable illuminating bulbs, such as neon bulbs. The array of lamps 66 is covered by a generally transparent panel 68 having appropriate translation numbers 70 formed upon the panel 68 by etching or other suitable means in overlying relationship with each of the lamps. The numbers are positioned to correspond with the positions of all the possible code holes on the information card, the positions of the passages in the plate, and the positions of the indicator lamps-the positions of each of these being arranged to correspond with each other as previously described. Thus, when the appropriate indicator lamp is energized, the code appearing on the information tabs 26 and 28 of the address card is immediately translated and displayed upon the array 66. it will be readily apparent that a letter code might also be translated and the translated letters 72 may be appropriately displayed on the panel 63.

The operation of my invention should be readily apparent when considering the hereinabove detailed description of my invention. However, for the the operation follows.

When the light source 8 is energized in the absence of a card, the light illuminates the plate 38, passes into all of the passages, for example 44 and 45, through the respective light guides 46 and 47 and impinges upon their associated photoelectric cells 52 and 53. The high-intensity light causes the resistance of the photoelectric cells 52 and 53 to decrease, shorting the circuit between the conductors 61 and 62 and bypassing the parallel conductors 58 and 59 deenergizing the indicator lamp 55. Thus, all the indicator lamps in the array 66 are deenergized and the' array is dark. The card 16 which is to be verified is then positioned upon the guide surface 14 and slid forward until its has 26 and 28 overlie the flat face 40 of the plate 38 and the tab carrying edge of the main portion 18 of the card abuts shoulder 42 of the plate 38. Since the flat face 40 of the plate 38 is raised slightly with respect to the plane of the guide surface 14, the tabs 26 and 28 firmly bear downwardly against the flat face 40 preventing the leakage of any light from the light source around the edges of the tabs. The side edges of the card abut the walls 36 preventing transverse movement of the card during verification.

When the card is so positioned, light from the light source 8 will continue to pass uninterrupted through the holes of the tabs 26 and 28 and, as before, continue to pass through the passage corresponding with the hole and impinge upon the photoelectric cell associated with that passage. Of course, in those positions where no tab is present, the light will also continue to pass as before shorting the associated photoelectric cells. Thus, all the indicator lamps in array 66 which are associated with the last mentioned photoelectric cells, will remain deenergized.

if information has been coded upon a tab by the absence of a hole in one ofthe possible hole positions, light from the light source 8 is blocked from entering the passage corresponding with that position. Thus, the photoelectric cell associated with that passage is no longer illuminated and its resistance increases. When the resistance increases, the cell no longer acts as a short and current will now flow through conductor 62, conductor 59, the indicator lamp 55, conductor 58 and conductor 61, illuminating the lamp. Since the position of the lamp in the array 66 corresponds with the position of the absent hole on one of the tabs 26 or 28, the lamp will illuminate the numeral or letters translation on the panel 68 and provide an immediate display of the translation of the coded tab which may be visually compared with the printed information on the card to verify the tab codeflf an error is detected, the physical position of the erroneous tab and the nature of the error will be immediately apparent.

purpose of clarity a description of The verifier of my invention may also be rapidly and easily checked for malfunctions. When all the passages of the plate 38 are uncovered and exposed to the light source 8, all the indicator lamps of the array 66 will be deenergized and the array will be dark. if all the passages are then covered with an opaque sheet, all the indicator lamps of array 66 should light. If one or more of the lamps do not light, the malfunction is rapidly detected as well as being pinpointed to that particular circuit.

Although, I have described the verification of address cards, it will be evident that the method and apparatus of my inven-' tion may be readily adapted for use with other coded information cards having information coded thereon in the form of holes.

it should be understood that the embodiment of the invention which has been described is merely illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifisaid plate being located such that the light from said light source normally passes through each of said apertures but said light is selectively blocked from selected ones of said apertures when said portion of the card which is to be verified is disposed between said plate and said light source,

positioning means for holding and positioning the card such that said portion of the card may be disposed in uniform contact with said flat face between said light source and said flat face, photo detector means for producing a plurality of signals in response to the quantity of light passing through each of said apertures, and t a plurality of indicator means each which is operated in response to one ofsaid signals, said indicator means beingarranged in an enlarged array of positions correspofiding to the positions of all the holes possible on the information card wherein said card is a print-embossed addressing machine plate including at least one tab carrying said information holes and affixed to the perimeter of the plate, said tab being disposed in a predetermined position on the flat face of said plate when the card is positioned to be verified.

2. A method of verifying coded information on an information card comprising the steps of;

passing light from a light source through a plurality of apertures of predetermined number and position corresponding to the number and position of all the holes possible on the card to be verified,

impinging said light passing through each of said apertures on separate photo electric cells,

conducting each of the first electrical signals to individual indicator means arranged in an array of positions corresponding to the positions of all the holes possible on the card to place each of the indicator means in a first condition, said first condition being a deenergized condition,

selectively positioning said card between the light source and the apertures such that each of the possible positions of the holes on the card overlie each of the individual apertures to selectively block the light passing through selected ones of the apertures, wherein said card is a print-embossed addressing machine plate having at least one tab carrying said coded information holes, said tab being disposed in overlying relationship with said apertures,

generating a second electrical signal with the cells associated with the blocked selected ones of the apertures, and

conducting the second signals to selected ones of the indicator means to place the selected ones of the indicator means in a second condition in which the code is displayed in translated form, said second condition being the energized condition.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N 3: 9: Dated September 28, 1971 Inventor-(5) David Shulman It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 19, after "cells" should read generating a plurality of first electrical signals with each of the cells Signed and sealed this 10th day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTISCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents OHM PC4050 USCOMM-DC GO376-P6D n U 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 9.9 D!65-J.l 

1. Apparatus for verifying coded information holes appearing at predetermined positions on at least a portion of an information card, said apparatus comprising; a light source, a plate including a Substantially flat face facing said light source, said plate defining a plurality of apertures of predetermined number and position corresponding to the number and position of all the holes possible on the card which is to be verified, said plate being located such that the light from said light source normally passes through each of said apertures but said light is selectively blocked from selected ones of said apertures when said portion of the card which is to be verified is disposed between said plate and said light source, positioning means for holding and positioning the card such that said portion of the card may be disposed in uniform contact with said flat face between said light source and said flat face, photo detector means for producing a plurality of signals in response to the quantity of light passing through each of said apertures, and a plurality of indicator means each which is operated in response to one of said signals, said indicator means being arranged in an enlarged array of positions corresponding to the positions of all the holes possible on the information card wherein said card is a print-embossed addressing machine plate including at least one tab carrying said information holes and affixed to the perimeter of the plate, said tab being disposed in a predetermined position on the flat face of said plate when the card is positioned to be verified.
 2. A method of verifying coded information on an information card comprising the steps of; passing light from a light source through a plurality of apertures of predetermined number and position corresponding to the number and position of all the holes possible on the card to be verified, impinging said light passing through each of said apertures on separate photo electric cells, conducting each of the first electrical signals to individual indicator means arranged in an array of positions corresponding to the positions of all the holes possible on the card to place each of the indicator means in a first condition, said first condition being a deenergized condition, selectively positioning said card between the light source and the apertures such that each of the possible positions of the holes on the card overlie each of the individual apertures to selectively block the light passing through selected ones of the apertures, wherein said card is a print-embossed addressing machine plate having at least one tab carrying said coded information holes, said tab being disposed in overlying relationship with said apertures, generating a second electrical signal with the cells associated with the blocked selected ones of the apertures, and conducting the second signals to selected ones of the indicator means to place the selected ones of the indicator means in a second condition in which the code is displayed in translated form, said second condition being the energized condition. 